short bus

Thank you all for replying. I will try to answer every question and comment. Pitfall, I appreciate your skepticism. Question #1. I was mistaken about Tempest “prototype collection” size. Tempest, I sincerely apologize. I came across a plain text list page and I clearly did not read all the way down. I am no Atari expert and I just learned of this site on Thursday, much less had any idea of this subculture. Question 1b. In regards to referencing the “prototype chips,” I only learned of this word and the definition on Friday. I believe the definition provided by AtariAge is “A pre-production version of a piece of hardware or software. In some cases prototypes were never released, in other cases it is simply an unfinished version of a product later released.” I question myself whether I should consider them or label them prototypes. I believe a more suitable definition would be testing chips. They were used by an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) supplier to test hardware and hardware development. So other than Atari employees who have access to testing and prototype chips, I would say there were hundreds of people at handfuls of companies that tested various hardware and software on and off production lines and quality testing facilities. I was given the set when I was eight years old by an R&D engineer. In 1984 the plant was shut down and that person was laid off. I was given the set post shut down so I would imagine that these items are not stolen, although I do not have a receipt. I have worked at two different manufacturing facilities that were shut down and with reason, if you asked, you got it. Question number 2. I would imagine any supplier company supplying OEM hardware to Atari would have to develop compatible equipment across the board and would have to be tested with any and all companies that have interfacing software. So that would explain the different games and related suppliers. Question number 3. Yes all the chips have the same date. Pitfall Harry, I apologize for referencing them as prototypes. If anything they would be called testing chips. The basis of all your arguments and assumptions come from the basis of the word “prototype” and the standard manufacturing definition of a non-production item. I would clearly call them a non production item, instead of prototypes. In regards to purchasing, I would imagine that would be handled by the purchasing agent who would by them in bulk lots from the respective supplier. Prospectively, I am hoping that some of the games that were used for testing were not all standard released games. Furthermore, the age of the chips indicated that they came from a very early period of the Atari saga and I am hoping that that there are early releases as well. “4. If this was the collection of a former game prototyper…” – Pitfall Harry. I’m really not sure how to reply to this statement. You implied that I at one point in time referenced this concept or that this is a general consensus of the subject at hand. By no means have I ever implied that the collection was from a former game prototyper, much less an Atari employee. The set came from a closed hardware equipment supplier plant. Question number 5: Whether I have can concretely argue that they chips are not from a ROM pirate who did his work a that same time is up to you. I know they came from a closed hardware manufacturer. That is good enough for me. For me to prove that I would need some sort of office documentation on the copy’s but there is not. What I do know is the handwriting is the same that I’ve seen on a bunch of “prototype” stuff. The small white chip labels and handwriting are the same as “prototype,” or should I say, “non-production released” items I’ve seen in collections. Question number six: My parents, whom both have passed, put the box away short after I received it in 1984 because I did not use it. I tested the games in 94 and 99 on a standard woody 2600. Additionally, in reply to questions and comment #6. The set I have are clearly not junk hacks. The PCB’s appear to be standard issue test equipment, literally, brand spankin’ new, yet 20 years old. They are clearly not some modified cartridge. The chips and PCB’s are clearly professionally manufactured. Lastly, if I though the set was an old pirate set, I would obviously not attempt to sell it, but thank you for the reminder. I appreciate the questions and I understand the concerns. As soon as I post pictures, I will post links for respective inspection purposes. Tempest: “I have one of these on my webpage at the bottom of the 2600 page, do your EPROMs look like that?” Don’t worry, no they don’t. Actually, I did not see those until last night when I was on your site. The chips I have look like the ones you have on the other page, the released prototype page. They are just like the Early EPROM Chips except without boards and all small white labels. The handwriting is identical to your Basic Programming and Circus Early EPROMs. Tempest I’d like to apologize. I came up with twenty when I saw a white page with simple text on your site and I just counted your EPROM chips. There were no links and I later found out that these chips were on boards as well. So basically, I had little idea what I was talking about, especially two days ago. Lastly, I’m just getting married, and getting rid of absolutely everything. I came across the box just two days ago and was like “hey, I still have this?” So I jumped online and came across Atari Age. After I did some basic research, I posted a post to see if this set has any equity. I had no idea that it would make such a fuss and all that. I really apologize. ~Short Bus [ 07-29-2001: Message edited by: short bus ]

Thanks for replying guys, Let me reply question by question. Yes, I just took pictures for the eBay auction. I will try to post them on my site later this weekend and post a link here as well. In regards to keeping them together, I've checked inventories of collectors and this is really something different. No, I do not know how much I want for the set. I'd really like it to be a market driven demand. Realistically, the set is truly one of a kind, original and would have cost a pretty penny back in 84, just for standard store stuff, much less something like this. Not only can one play all 88 games in the set, but they can use the PCB's to play their own game chips. I really need to know some game history info so I can help those who need specific info during the auction. Specifically, with Space Chase. I'd really like to know the difference between the few versions. The collection has two versions, one with a single chip and one with two chips. Let me cut and paste a bit from my eBay write-up that will be posted soon. UPDATE: After scouring the web, especially AtariAge.com, a great site, I’ve notice a lot of the 89 games that are in the collection are from different software manufactures from different times. This doesn’t make complete sense to me because I know the box was put away in 1984 and some of games did not come out on the market until a few years later. Additionally, I’ve scanned all the chip mfg dates and they are all from 1977. Some of the chips are totally white and look considerably different from the other test chips. The chips have always been stored in the sponge material in their storage cases. PROM RATINGS AND RARITY: After reading the chip labels and rewriting the entire list in Excel, I’ve compared it to the ratings at AtariAge and most of the “Rarity” ratings range from common 2’s to mostly 3’s and 4’s. I only wrote the lowest rating assuming they were the lowest, although these games are all from 1982 or earlier. Specifically, Rarity Ratings range from 1 #5 Rare, 6 #4 Scarce+, many #3’s and #2’s and a few very common games, although they are all independent testing IC Chips. (pic not here yet) Showing all the chip boxes. All 143 chips date 1977. A total of 89 Games, many scarce including SKEET SHOOT, BRIDGE, DRAGON, FLAG CAPTURE, MATH, NCOUNT?, SSNAKE, STELLAR. Okay...Everyone at AtariAge just got a first hand look at some of the Auction text. I will forward picture links ASAP. Another note: I've really scoured the web and a bunch of collections for "proto chips" and discovered a lot. The chips that I have look identical to a bunch in collections, same Intel chips, literally, the same white filleted label, the whole bit, except the mfg dates are all 1977. Does anyone know of someone with this many proto chips, especially as a set? And does anyone have a picture of a dual testing PCB? I have not found these yet. ~Short Bus [ 08-11-2001: Message edited by: short bus ]

I happen to have a ton of Atari OEM supplier stuff from back in 84. I recently found it in the attic. I've got 2 dual slot testing PCB's and 143 testing chips. Whether the games are released versions or not, I have no idea. I do know that I have 88 games from 1982 and before. The chip dates are all 1977. Everything is mint. The chips are all stored in original clear plastic boxes all pressed in the sponge material. Some of the chips are white and all are Intel brand. The dual slot testing PCB's are Mint or Near Mint. All the games work on a standard 2600 set, using the testing PCB's and have been tested. My main deal is that I have 88 games and I have no idea what versions they are. Oddly enough I have a few odd things: a game labeled "NCOUNT" on the chip. Does anyone know about this game? It could be Encounter at L5. I also have a Skeet Shoot chip. I have 88 games all in prototype chip OBJ file format. To help validate the collection, I have a copy of an old school printout from 3/19/1982 indicating the game cartridges, original file names, controller required and the number of PROM's required (2716'S). It's truly one of a kind and I'd like someone who can appreciate to have it and have a nice piece of Atari history. So if anyone can tell me more about the value of the chips and whether I should break it up or sell it whole, feel free to let me know. I'll be checking this message board over the next week as I prepare the auction. [ 08-11-2001: Message edited by: short bus ]